A date has been set for the postponed Barwell by-election to contest the seat vacated by former Hinckley and Bosworth borough councillor Jim Martin.

Mr Martin, a Conservative, who was elected to the local authority in May last year, announced earlier this year he was standing down to start a business abroad.

Plans were made to hold a by-election at the end of June, with an official notice of election and nomination papers issued, before council officials were informed the arrangements fell foul of new government legislation.

The date set, they were told, was too close to the European elections and had to be changed.

Electoral officers admitted the new ruling had caught them out and had to seek advice about what to do next.

They were forced to start the whole election process again from scratch, and have now set a revised by-election date for August 12.

Hinckley and Bosworth Conservatives announced Allan Keddy, a self-employed courier in Barwell, will defend the seat for the Tories.